The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien Read Free Book Online Page A

since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves
     and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man’s part to discern them, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house.’
    ‘True indeed,’ said Éomer. ‘But I do not doubt you, nor the deed which my heart would do. Yet I am not free to do all as I
     would. It is against our law to let strangers wander at will in our land, until the king himself shall give them leave, and
     more strict is the command in these days of peril. I have begged you to come back willingly with me, and you will not. Loth
     am I to begin a battle of one hundred against three.’
    ‘I do not think your law was made for such a chance,’ said Aragorn. ‘Nor indeed am I a stranger; for I have been in this land
     before, more than once, and ridden with the host of the Rohirrim, though under other name and in other guise. You I have not
     seen before, for you are young, but I have spoken with Éomund your father, and with Théoden son of Thengel. Never in former
     days would any high lord of this land have constrained a man to abandon such a quest as mine. My duty at least is clear, to
     go on. Come now, son of Éomund, the choice must be made at last. Aid us, or at the worst let us go free. Or seek to carry
     out your law. If you do so there will be fewer to return to your war or to your king.’
    Éomer was silent for a moment, then he spoke. ‘We both have need of haste,’ he said. ‘My company chafes to be away, and every
     hour lessens your hope. This is my choice. You may go; and what is more, I will lend you horses. This only I ask: when your
     quest is achieved, or is proved vain, return with the horses over the Entwade to Meduseld, the high house in Edoras where Théoden now sits. Thus you shall prove to him that I have not misjudged. In this I place myself, and
     maybe my very life, in the keeping of your good faith. Do not fail.’
    ‘I will not,’ said Aragorn.
    There was great wonder, and many dark and doubtful glances, among his men, when Éomer gave orders that the spare horses were
     to be lent to the strangers; but only Éothain dared to speak openly.
    ‘It may be well enough for this lord of the race of Gondor, as he claims,’ he said, ‘but who has heard of a horse of the Mark
     being given to a Dwarf?’
    ‘No one,’ said Gimli. ‘And do not trouble: no one will ever hear of it. I would sooner walk than sit on the back of any beast
     so great, free or begrudged.’
    ‘But you must ride now, or you will hinder us,’ said Aragorn.
    ‘Come, you shall sit behind me, friend Gimli,’ said Legolas. ‘Then all will be well, and you need neither borrow a horse nor
     be troubled by one.’
    A great dark-grey horse was brought to Aragorn, and he mounted it. ‘Hasufel is his name,’ said Éomer. ‘May he bear you well
     and to better fortune than Gárulf, his late master!’
    A smaller and lighter horse, but restive and fiery, was brought to Legolas. Arod was his name. But Legolas asked them to take
     off saddle and rein. ‘I need them not,’ he said, and leaped lightly up, and to their wonder Arod was tame and willing beneath
     him, moving here and there with but a spoken word: such was the Elvish way with all good beasts. Gimli was lifted up behind
     his friend, and he clung to him, not much more at ease than Sam Gamgee in a boat.
    ‘Farewell, and may you find what you seek!’ cried Éomer. ‘Return with what speed you may, and let our swords hereafter shine
     together!’
    ‘I will come,’ said Aragorn.
    ‘And I will come, too,’ said Gimli. ‘The matter of the Lady Galadriel lies still between us. I have yet to teach you gentle speech.’
    ‘We shall see,’ said Éomer. ‘So many strange things have chanced that to learn the praise of a fair lady under the loving
     strokes of a Dwarf’s axe will seem no great wonder. Farewell!’
    With that they parted. Very swift were the horses of Rohan. When after a little Gimli looked back, the company of Éomer